But why was an LAPD helicopter there?

Water-dropping choppers were brought in to help keep the fire from spreading. The Los Angeles Police Department said a drone smacked into one of its helicopters, which was dispatched to the scene of the fire. Police said the pilot was forced to make an emergency landing.

"We were just informed shortly, about five minutes ago, that our airship was hit by a drone and had to make an emergency landing over at Van Nuys Airport. Everybody is OK, as far as we know. They are just going to do checks for damage and the safety of the crew," said Capt. Brian Wendling with LAPD. "I know people are curious, but curiosity can cause danger."

Curious idiots in drones need to stay away so they don't interfere...

But so do curious idiots in police helicopters.

The article is written to give the impression the LAPD helicopter was dumping water, but they were just rubbernecking.

Seems like every time there's a fire in LA there's some fuckhead flying a drone around. These pieces of shit need jail time.